Death Quote by Gerald F. Gaus
““None of these things spells the death of a tolerant, morally diverse Open Society. But they do remind us that constant talk of 'tribes' - with its implicature about the dangers of being 'primitive' rather than enlightened modern individuals - blinds us to the ways in which modern hyper-individualism in moral thought is at least as much a source of bitterness and conflict. A mob of high-minded individual moralists, attacking a morally opposed view in a university protest or on social media, is not a tribe. To say so is to insult the subtle and cooperative life of tribal societies.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Lecture on Political Philosophy, 2015
The quote warns that labeling moral dissent as “tribal” obscures the conflict caused by extreme individualism, which can be as divisive as traditional tribalism.
In simple terms: Calling moral disagreement “tribal” hides the harm of hyper‑individualism.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address conflict caused by individualism, not just tribal labels.
Themes
political philosophy
social cohesion
individualism
tribalism
morality
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- university protests
- social media debates
- policy discussions
- community building
Key Concepts
social identity theory
moral pluralism
hyper‑individualism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does hyper‑individualism shape moral conflict?
- Can we balance individual autonomy with collective responsibility?
A Different Perspective
It may overstate the equivalence between individualism and tribal conflict, ignoring structural power dynamics.
